Israel hits Palestinians on all fronts

GAZA - Israeli tanks backed by helicopters raided a refugee camp in the Gaza Strip early yesterday, killing at least one armed Palestinian as gunbattles erupted.

Dozens of gunmen heeded calls from a mosque loudspeaker to defend al-Maghazi camp on Gaza's border with Israel, after troops arrived shortly before midnight in more than 20 tanks and armoured personnel carriers.

A group of Palestinian gunmen travelling by car to the camp clashed with soldiers on the outskirts of al-Maghazi, fellow gunmen said.

An Israeli helicopter shot at the car, killing one gunman and seriously wounding his brother.

An Israeli military source confirmed that an operation was under way in the area.

Palestinians have been on alert for Israeli retaliation for a twin suicide bombing in Tel Aviv on Sunday in which the bombers killed 22 people.

Israeli police yesterday lowered the bombing death toll from 23. Police spokesman Gil Kleiman said one hospital had counted one of the victims twice.

He said that among the dead were 14 Israelis and six foreigners: two Romanians, a Ukrainian, a Bulgarian, a Chinese man and a Ghanaian. "There are also two bodies of people who have not yet been identified, one of whom is probably Chinese."

Israel's Navy also imposed a blockade of the Gaza Strip yesterday, preventing Palestinian fishermen from going out to sea, Palestinian security officials said.

In an earlier attack that caused no casualties, Israeli helicopter gunships earlier blasted rockets at two metal workshops in Gaza City allegedly used to produce home-made mortars.

In southern Gaza, an armoured column backed by helicopters raided the town of Rafah, arresting a wanted Islamic Jihad militant and leaving seven wounded.



As a result of the suicide bombing - for which the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, a militia loyal to Yasser Arafat's Fatah, has claimed responsibility - British Prime Minister Tony Blair may have to cancel a London conference on the stalled Middle East peace process next week. Israel has barred Palestinian delegates from attending in retaliation.

Britain will make a last-minute appeal to Israel to allow the Palestinians to travel to the meeting, aimed at agreeing on changes to the Palestinian Authority.

But there was little sign last night that Israel would drop the ban.

In further retaliation, Israel also stopped delegates attending a meeting of the Palestine Liberation Organisation's central council, due to take place in Ramallah tomorrow, closed three West Bank universities, and intensified military operations.

A Government spokesman promised more "targeted killings" of suspected terrorist leaders.

Relations between the British and Israeli Governments have been further soured by Blair's decision to meet Amram Mitzna, leader of Israel's Opposition Labour Party, at Downing St tomorrow.

Yesterday Jack Straw, the British Foreign Secretary, clashed with Benjamin Netanyahu, his Israeli opposite number, when he telephoned him to to urge him to lift the travel ban.

According to an Israeli Foreign Ministry transcript, Netanyahu urged Britain to adopt President George W. Bush's position "that leaders compromised by terror cannot be partners for peace". He added: "You in Britain are doing the exact opposite."

Straw replied: "No, it is Israel that is doing the opposite. Instead of concentrating on dealing with terrorism, it is striking at [Palestinian] delegates."

In a statement issued later Netanyahu added: "The Palestinian leadership does not need to meet abroad to close down suicide kindergarten camps, to stop incitement to murder and to fight terrorism. This they can do in Ramallah and Gaza - right here, right now."

Downing St officials admitted that next week's conference - due to be attended by Palestinians, the European Union, United Nations, Russia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan - would to be called off unless there was an early change of heart by Israel.

The London talks were announced last month by Blair, who has been anxious to launch an initiative on the Middle East.

Saeb Erakat, a senior Palestinian negotiator, yesterday accused Israel of "shooting itself in the foot" by barring Arafat's ministers from flying to London.

"For Israel to prevent such a meeting from taking place is saying to the world that they will not allow any attempt to revive the peace process or stop the violence."

- AGENCIES

Herald feature: The Middle East